Eight states sue OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT misled parents and harmed children

Attorneys general in eight states sued OpenAI on Oct. 14, alleging that the company deceived the public about the safety of its ChatGPT chatbot for children, according to Scripps News and the Idaho Capital Sun.

The states filed separate suits in their own courts:

• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Montana
• Nebraska
• West Virginia

Scripps News reported that the suits seek financial penalties and court-ordered safeguards for ChatGPT. They also cite research suggesting the chatbot may encourage delusions, give questionable medical advice and weaken critical thinking.

The Idaho complaint

Idaho's 107-page complaint, filed in Ada County district court, alleges violations of the state's Consumer Protection Act, the Idaho Capital Sun reported. It accuses OpenAI of collecting personal data from children under 13 and of failing to warn users about risks tied to self-harm, violence and suicide.

The state is asking for $5,000 per violation, damages and restitution, according to the Capital Sun. It also wants OpenAI barred from testing advanced models outside a "secured, independently verified testing environment." None of the harm cases cited in the complaint originated in Idaho, the paper reported.

Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador said children's safety should not be traded for profit, and he criticized what he called OpenAI's "reckless priorities."

OpenAI's response

OpenAI spokesperson Drew Pusateri told the Capital Sun the company has built age-specific protections, including parental controls and break reminders, and will keep working with experts and states on AI policy.

Massachusetts is not among the eight states.